Lecithin drying using fatty acids

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the present invention provide methods of drying lecithin in a batch reaction, comprising the steps of obtaining lecithin-containing material (derived from a crude refining stream) comprising 15-50% water, 10-30% acetone insoluble matter, and 10-20% free fatty acid; adding a fatty acid source (also derived from a crude refining stream) to the lecithin-containing material composition to obtain a lecithin/fatty acid reaction mixture; and blowing dry gas through the gum/fatty acid reaction miture to obtain a resultant dried lecithin fatty acid blend having a water content of less than 2%. The resultant dried lecithin fatty acid blend may be used in asphalt or oil field applications.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional PatentApplication, Ser. No. 62/056,954, filed Sep. 29, 2014 entitled LECITHINDRYING USING FATTY ACIDS, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser.No. 62/084,612, filed Nov. 26, 2014, which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the drying of lecithin using fatty acids.

BACKGROUND

There is a desire amongst asphalt companies to have an aggregate that,when applied to roads, quickly binds with an asphalt binder containingcomposition to provide adequate curing thus enabling drivers to get backto driving on the roads as fast as possible and supporting the longevityof the road. Sometimes, however, the moisture content and substratecomposition (among other things) in the aggregate may interfere withbinding which, consequently, delays the curing of a road. There are twoprimary ways to mitigate this problem: (1) dry the aggregate beforeapplying the binder, which can be costly, or more preferably (2) utilizean anti-stripping agent that minimizes the negative effect of themoisture on the surface of the aggregate and promotes adhesion to thebinder. Many anti-stripping agents are amine-based which have corrosiveproperties. Thus, developing anti-stripping agents that do not have suchcorrosive properties is desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Aspects of the present invention provide methods for producing a drylecithin fatty acid blend, comprising: obtaining a lecithin-containingmaterial, derived from a crude plant-based oil refining stream,comprising 15-50 wt % water, 10-30 wt % acetone insoluble matter, and10-20 wt % free fatty acid; adding a fatty acid source to thelecithin-containing material to obtain a reaction mixture; and blowing adry gas through the reaction mixture to obtain a lecithin fatty acidblend comprising less than 1 wt % water, 20-40 wt % acetone insolublematter, and 35-48 wt % fatty acid.

Aspects of the present invention provide methods for producing a drylecithin fatty acid blend, comprising: obtaining a lecithin-containingmaterial derived from a crude plant-based oil refining stream; adding afatty acid source to the lecithin-containing material to obtain areaction mixture; heating the reaction mixture to a temperature rangingfrom 90-130° C. to obtain a lecithin fatty acid blend.

Aspects of the present invention provide lecithin fatty acidblend/asphalt binder mixture compositions for asphalt applications,comprising: 0.25-3 wt % lecithin fatty acid blend comprising less than 2wt % water, 20-40 wt % acetone insoluble matter, and 35-48 wt % fattyacid; and 97-99.75 wt % asphalt binder.

Aspects of the present invention provide methods of incorporating fattyacid lecithin blends in asphalt applications, comprising: obtaining alecithin fatty acid blend, comprising less than 2 wt % water, between 20and 40 wt % acetone insoluble matter, and between 35 and 48 wt % fattyacid; and adding the lecithin fatty acid blend to an asphalt binder;wherein the amount of the lecithin fatty acid blend ranges from 0.25 to3 wt % of the lecithin fatty acid blend/asphalt binder mixture.

For the purpose of this invention asphalt binder is the bituminousmaterial that together with the lecithin fatty acid blend comprise thebinder phase of an asphalt. Asphalt can be utilized in road paving (i.e.asphalt pavement, in roofing applications, and other end-useapplications known to one of skill in the art. Asphalt refers to a blendof lecithin fatty acid/asphalt binder blend combined with other materialsuch as aggregate or filler to make the asphalt. The asphalt binder usedin this invention may be material acquired from bituminous materialproducing refineries, flux, refinery vacuum tower bottoms, pitch, andother residues of processing of vacuum tower bottoms. In anotherpreferred aspect, the asphalt binder is obtained from reclaimed asphaltpavement and/or recycled asphalt shingles.

Aspects of the present invention provide methods of incorporating fattyacid lecithin blends in asphalt applications, comprising: obtaining alecithin fatty acid blend, comprising less than 2 wt % water, between 5and 75 wt % acetone insoluble matter, and between 25 and 95 wt % fattyacid; and adding the lecithin fatty acid blend to aggregates to be usedin asphalt pavements, wherein the amount of the lecithin fatty acidblend ranges from 0.25 to 3 wt % of the lecithin fatty acidblend/aggregate mixture.

Aspects of the present invention provide methods of incorporated fattyacid lecithin blends in asphalt applications, comprising: obtaining alecithin fatty acid blend, comprising less than 2 wt % water, between 5and 75 wt % acetone insoluble matter, and between 25 and 95 wt % fattyacid; and adding the lecithin fatty acid blend to treat reclaimedasphalt pavement millings (RAP) to be reused in asphalt pavementsthereby obtaining a total mixture, wherein the amount of the lecithinfatty acid blend ranges from 0.25 to 3 wt % of the total mixture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

“Acetone Insoluble Matter” (AI) determines the acetone insoluble matterin a sample and is reported as % per AOCS method Ja 4-46 (2011). Thephosphatides are included in the acetone-insoluble fraction.

“Acid Value” (AV) is a measure of the residual acid groups present in acompound and is reported in units of mg KOH/gram material. The acidnumber is measured according to the method of AOCS method Ja 6-55(2011).

“Gums” utilized herein are derived from plant-based materials,preferably corn, soy, canola (rapeseed), and cottonseed and arecomprised of water, acetone insoluble matter (mostly phosphatides), freefatty acids, and oil.

“Lecithin” is a complex mixture of acetone-insoluble phosphatidescombined with various amounts of other substances, such astriglycerides, fatty acids, and carbohydrates. Lecithin contains atleast 50% of acetone insoluble matter.

“Phosphatides” include phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylinositol,phosphatidylethalnolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and other phospholipids.

“Reaction” utilized herein primarily refers to the physical reaction ofdrying and the blending of lecithin-containing material and a fatty acidsource.

Lecithin-Containing Material

The lecithin-containing material utilized herein is preferably derivedfrom crude refining streams (from the processing of crude plant-basedoils) containing fatty acids and phosphatidyl material. In some aspects,the lecithin-containing material may be gums resulting from a degummingprocesses carried out on crude plant-based oils, for example, but notlimited to, water degumming, caustic and acidic degumming, phospholipaseA and phospholipase C degumming, or other enzymatically produced gums.In other aspects, the lecithin-containing material may come from otheroils or other crude triacylglyceride (i.e. oil) refining streamscontaining fatly acids and/or phosphatide material (e.g., soapstock,acidulated soapstock, etc.). In yet other aspects, thelecithin-containing material may come from animal sources, such as eggyolks and various animal sources.

It shall be understood that despite the various aspects, thelecithin-containing material preferably comes from crude products ratherthan food-grade products. Thus, crude products that are dark in color,odorous, or otherwise undesirable for food and personal careapplications are preferred sources for the lecithin-containing material(however, food-grade lecithin may also be used as thelecithin-containing material).

Regardless of the source, the lecithin-containing material compriseswater, phosphatides (typically defined by acetone insoluble matter),free fatty acids, and oil. In preferred aspects, the lecithin-containingmaterial comprises between 15 wt % and 50 wt % water (more preferablybetween 20-40 wt % water), between 10 wt % and 30 wt % acetone insolublematter (mostly phosphatides), between 10 wt % and 20 wt % free fattyacids, with the remaining balance being oil (i.e. primarilytriacylglycerides with some diacyiglycerides and monoacylglycerides).Note that moisture (water) content is determined using AOCS method Ja2b-87 (2009) and acetone insoluble matter is determined using AOCSmethod Ja 4-46 (2011).

Fatty Acid Source

A fatty acid source is added to the lecithin-containing material. Thefatty acid source serves as a mixing and heat transfer aid for thelecithin-containing material and also helps reduce the viscosity of thelecithin-containing material.

Many types of fatty acid sources may be used. For cost effectivereasons, crude waste streams, for example deodorized distillate streams,vegetable oils, and recovered corn oil streams (and derivatives thereof,for example, polymerized corn oil streams), are desirable fatty acidsources. Typically, the fatty acid source is comprised of at least 10%by weight free fatty acid, for example, at least 50% by weight freefatty acid, and preferably at least 85% by weight free fatty acid.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that gums are highly viscouscompositions resulting from complex structures at the oil/waterinterface. Accordingly, it is difficult to simply heat gums to removewater content without causing undesirable foaming and decomposition ofthe lecithin contained in the gums. Thus, the fatty acid source shouldprovide both a heat transfer and fluidizing effect via the breaking downof physical structures at the oil/water interface. Together theseprovide for efficient release of water (decreased foaming) and lowerrequired temperatures with reduced cycle times.

In preferred aspects, the fatty acid source has a viscosity ranging from20 to 400 cSt at 25° C., and more preferably 30 to 200 cSt at 25° C. Infurther preferred aspects, the fatty acid source may be Cargill'sAgri-Pure™ (AP) or Agri-Pure™ Gold (APG) vegetable based products: AP138 (deodorized distillate; solid at 25° C.; 20 cSt at 40° C.), APG 45(recovered corn oil; 40 cSt at 25° C.), or APG 55 (modified recoveredcorn oil; 135 cSt at 25° C.). Without being bound by any theory, it isbelieved that the fatty carboxylic acid contained in the APG products(i.e. the free fatty acids) aids in the lecithin drying process.

The Reaction Mixture

In the embodiments described herein, the fatty acid source is firstheated in a reactor to a temperature ranging from 90-130° C. Inpreferred aspects, the fatty oil source is heated to a temperatureranging from 100-120° C., and more preferably around 110° C. Thelecithin-containing material is added to the reactor housing the heatedfatty acid source. Without being bound by any theory, it is believedthat this temperature range not only facilitates the drying of lecithinbut also beneficial darkening of color.

The lecithin-containing material is added to the fatty acid source suchthat the ratio of fatty acid source to lecithin-containing materialranges from about 5:95 to 30:70. In a first preferred aspect, the weightratio of fatty acid source to lecithin-containing material ratio isabout 10:90 (for example, when recovered corn oil or acid oil is used asthe fatty acid source). In a second preferred aspect, the weight ratioof fatty acid source to lecithin-containing material ratio is from about15:85 to about 28:72 (for example, about 25:75) (for example, whendeodorized distillate is used as the fatty acid source). It shall beunderstood that the weight ratio of fatty acid source tolecithin-containing material may vary based on the desired results forthe industrial application.

Optionally, a nominal amount of anti-foam agent may be added to themixture as well. If an anti-foaming agent is added, it typically makesup less than 0.1 wt % of the reaction mixture.

Gums are typically very viscous and difficult to handle, specificallybelow room temperature. Thus, an objective of the present invention isto maintain the reaction mixture (fatty acid source/lecithin-containingmaterial) at the elevated temperatures described above and tocontinuously stir the reaction mixture to maintain its stability.

Drying the Reaction Mixture

Dry gas, for example, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, air, or acombination of any of these is passed through the reaction mixture tofacilitate in the removal of the water content in the gums. Typically,this is carried out by blowing the dry gas through the reaction mixture.Typically, nitrogen or air is blown through the reaction mixture at apressure ranging between 0 psig and 1 psig and at a rate ranging between5 cubic feet per minute (cfm) and 200 cubic feet per minute. In somepreferred embodiments, the blowing rate is between 125 and 175 cfm.Reduced pressures (e.g, vacuum conditions) may be employed but may notbe preferred due to increased cost and increased foam formation.

Dry gas is continuously blown through the reaction mixture until thewater content is reduced to the desired level. In preferred aspects, thewater content is reduced to less than 1 wt %.

This overall reaction may be carried out as a batch process or asemi-continuous process.

Typically, the reaction lasts between 6 and 20 hours to reduce the watercontent to desired levels. A critical parameter in determining reactiontime is the ability to transfer heat throughout the system (which, asstated above, is facilitated by the fatty acid source). It shall beunderstood that the removal of water and the dry gas sparge causescooling in the reactor, so the ability to maintain and transfer heatthroughout the system is an objective of the present invention.

Resulting Product

Upon completion of the reaction, the resulting product is a lecithinfatty acid blend with a majority of the water content removed, asdescribed above. Accordingly, the lecithin fatty acid blend may compriseless than 2 wt % of water, and more preferably less than wt % water, andmore preferably less than 0.9 wt % water, and more preferably less than0.5 wt % water, and even more preferably less than 0.3 wt % water. Watercontent is measured according to the AOCS method Ja 2b-87 (2009).Further, the lecithin fatty acid blend may comprises between 5 and 75%acetone insoluble matter, and more preferably 20 to 40 wt % acetoneinsoluble matter, and even more preferably around 33 wt % acetoneinsoluble matter as measured by the AOCS method Ja 4-46 (2011).Additionally, the lecithin fatty acid blend may comprise between 25 and95 wt % fatty acid, and more preferably between 35 and 48 wt % fattyacid (contributed from both the lecithin material and the fatty acidsource) as measured by the AOCS method Ja 6-55 (2011). Any remainingbalance of the lecithin fatty acid blend may comprise oil and othernatural impurities.

In desired aspects, the lecithin fatty acid blend has a final viscosityof 200-3000 cSt at 25° C. as measured by AOCS method Ja 10-87 method(note that this method is used for all viscosity values defined herein).In preferred aspects, the viscosity of the lecithin fatty acid blendranges from 300-800 cSt at 25° C. Further, the lecithin fatty acid blendis typically a fluid, albeit viscous, particularly below roomtemperature, typically having pour points below 0° C., and moretypically a pour point of around −20° C.

The color of the lecithin fatty acid blend is typically a dark brown.Although the Gardner test may be used to determine color, many of thelecithin fatty acid blends will surpass the scale of the test. Becausethe lecithin fatty acid blend is typically used in asphalt and oilfieldapplications, color typically is not a main consideration factor.

The resulting lecithin fatty acid blend may be used as an anti-strippingagent in asphalt applications. It is surprising that this crude lecithinfatty acid blend, having a lower acetone insoluble matter than that offood grade lecithin material, performs better than food grade lecithinmaterial as an anti-stripping agent.

Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that the fatty acidand phosphotidyl material in the lecithin fatty acid blendsynergistically interacts with moisture, and/or calcium, or other metalcontent of the rock aggregate which consequently enhances adhesionbetween the binder (i.e. bituminous material) and the aggregate.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the lecithin fatty acidblend described herein is thoroughly mixed with an asphalt binder. Thelecithin fatty acid blend/asphalt binder mixture is mixed until ahomogenous product is reached (typically, the mixture may be heatedbetween 70-140° C. and agitated to facilitate a homogenous blend). Inpreferred aspects, the mixture comprises 0.25-3 wt % of the lecithinfatty acid blend with the balance being asphalt binder. The resultantprocessed lecithin fatty acid blend/asphalt binder mixture is thentypically mixed at approximately 2 wt % to 7 wt % (for example, about 5%by weight) use level with an aggregate substrate, or according to themix design called for by the road manufacturer.

In other embodiments, the lecithin fatty acid blend described herein isthoroughly mixed with an asphalt binder and may comprise from 0.25 to 3wt % of the total blend. Yet in other embodiments, the lecithin fattyacid blend may be used to treat reclaimed asphalt pavement millings(RAP) to be reused in asphalt pavements, and the lecithin fatty acidblend may comprise from 0.25 to 3 wt % of the total lecithin fatty acidblend/asphalt binder mixture.

Aggregate/binder mixes containing the lecithin fatty acid blenddescribed herein were tested by the National Center of AsphaltTechnology at Auburn University. The test results were favorable in thatthe aggregate/binder mix improved the tensile strength ratio (TSR)moisture susceptibility above the American Association of State Highwayand Transportation Officials (AASHTO) recommended failure threshold of0.8 (determined using the AASHTO T283 method).

Lecithin is may be used as a reagent in the manufacture of organophilicclays and as a beneficial additive to invert drilling mud formulation inwhich these clays are utilized. Further, in these invert mudformulations fatty acids may be used as primary emulsifiers. Havingdesirable viscosity and low temperature properties, the lecithin fattyacid blend of this invention therefore is particularly suited for use asa reagent and beneficial additive for organophilic clay manufacture orin the modification of invert mud formulations.

It is believed that this lecithin fatty acid blend may also be used as asurfactant, de-dust aid, or an emulsifying agent in oil field (e.g.,drilling and corrosion inhibition) and mining applications. Even moregenerally, this lecithin fatty acid blend may be used in applicationsinvolving interfacial interactions with monovalent and divalent metalcontaining substrates (e.g., calcium-containing substrates).

It is further believed that this lecithin fatty acid blend may be usedas a compaction aid additive (as further discussed below). In recentyears an increasing portion of pavements are produced using what iscommonly referred to as “compaction aid additives” to produce “warm mix”asphalt pavements. Warm mix pavements can be produced and compacted atlower production temperatures, require less compaction effort to achievetarget mixture density, and as a result can retain the propertiesnecessary for compaction at lower temperature enabling an increase inthe maximum haul distance of the asphalt mixture from the plant to thejob site.

The different mechanisms through which compaction aid additives may bebeneficial, include but are not limited to, increased lubrication ofaggregates during asphalt mixture compaction, reduction of the hinderviscosity at production temperatures, and better coating and wettabilityof the aggregates. Thus a diverse range of chemicals and additives mayexhibit one or more of the properties attributed to compaction aidadditives when added to an asphalt/bitumen mixture.

The lecithin fatty acid blend described herein can be used as acompaction aid additive to be mixed with asphalt/bitumen, therebycreating a warm mix composition, which may be subsequently added to anaggregate material to produce a warm mix asphalt pavement. Such acompaction aid additive achieves a number of the benefits including at aminimum decreasing production and construction temperatures throughincrease in aggregate lubrication and aggregate wettability. In such anapplication the additive would be used at dosages preferably in therange of between about 0.05 and 10% by weight of the asphalt binder.

It shall also be understood that the compaction aid additive can includecomponents in addition to the lecithin fatty acid blend, such assurfactants and other high melting point solids such as waxes,plasticizers, and other components known by those skilled in the art asuseful for the manufacture of warm mix asphalt pavement.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are presented to illustrate the present inventionand to assist one of ordinary skill in making and using same. Theexamples are not intended in any way to otherwise limit the scope of theinvention.

Example 1 Producing the Lecithin Fatty Acid Blend

Begin charging reactor with about 9200 pounds of hot AP-138 (Cargillmanufactured fatty acid source containing 92 wt % free fatty acid) at atemperature of around 100° F. The acid value of the AP-138 is 190-200 mgKOH/g. Introduce nitrogen sparge to the reactor at a rate of 10 cubicfeet per minute (cfm). Gradually increase the temperature of the reactorto achieve a temperature of 110° C. Begin charging the reactor with46,400 pounds of warm corn gums having an acid value of 23 mg KOH/g and35 wt % water content and subsequently increase the nitrogen sparge to arate of 30 cfm. A nominal amount of anti-foam (TEGO Antifoam MR1015) isalso added to the reactor.

Once all components are added to the reactor, the temperature isincreased to 120° C. and air flow is introduced to the reactor at a rateof at least 150 cfm with a pressure of around 1.15 psig. The reactionruns for about 17 hours, therefore reducing the water content to around0.65 wt %.

Example 2 Producing the Lecithin Fatty Acid Blend

The batch reactor is charged with AP-138 (Cargill manufactured fattyacid source containing 92 wt % fatty acid) and heated to a temperatureof 110° C. Wet corn gums containing 38 wt % water and TEGO AntifoamMR1015 are gradually added to the batch reactor and the temperature isgradually increased to 140° C. The composition of the reaction mixtureis provided in

Table 1.

TABLE 1 Component Wt % Wt (kg) AP-138 21.01 47.10 (92% FA) Wet Corn78.89 176.90 Gums TEGO 0.10 0.23 Anitfoam MR 1015

An air sparge is introduced into the batch reactor and blown until thewater content is reduced to 0.2 wt %.

Table 2 details the composition of the final lecithin-fatty acid blendderived from drying the wet corn gums blend described in Table 1. Table3 details the properties of the lecithin fatty, acid blend productdescribed in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Component Rxn Wt % Rxn Wt (kg) AP-138 30.00 47.10 (92% FA)Lecithin 69.85 109.66 TEGO 0.15 0.23 Anitfoam MR 1015

TABLE 3 Properties of Resultant Product Acid Value (AOCS 92.3 mg KOH/gmethod Ja 6-55) Acetone Insoluble 33.3 wt % Matter (AOCS method Ja4-46)Viscosity 1575 cSt at 25° C. Water content 0.2 wt % Solids 99.1 wt %

Example 3 Testing the Performance of the Lecithin Fatty Acid Blend inAsphalt Applications

Testing the performance of the lecithin and fatty acid blend in asphaltapplications may be carried out via several methods such as the boilmethod (ASTM D 3625-12), the bottle rolling test, the Tensile RecoveryTest (AASHTO T283-14and/or the Homburg Wheel Tracking Test. A purpose ofthese tests is to observe how well the binder binds to the rockaggregate. Using the boil method described above, once the samples havebeen boiled in water for 10 minutes, the coated aggregate is removed andobservations regarding how much asphalt binder has been stripped fromthe rock are made.

1. A method of producing'a dry lecithin fatly acid blend, comprising: (a) obtaining a lecithin-containing material, derived from a crude refining stream, comprising 15-50 wt % water, 10-30 wt % acetone insoluble matter, and 10-20 wt % free fatty acid; (b) adding a fatty acid source to the lecithin-containing material to obtain a reaction mixture; and (c) passing a dry gas through the reaction mixture to obtain a lecithin fatty acid blend comprising less than 1 wt % water, 20-40 wt % acetone insoluble matter, and 35-48 wt % fatty acid.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the lecithin-containing material comprises 20-40 wt % water.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the crude refining stream is a plant-based gum selected from the group consisting of corn gum, soybean gum, canola gum, and cottonseed gum. 4.-9. (canceled)
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the fatty acid source is selected from the group consisting of a deodorized distillate stream, vegetable oil stream, and recovered corn oil stream. 11.-12. (canceled)
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the fatty acid source has a viscosity ranging from 20 to 400 cSt at 25° C.
 14. (canceled)
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the fatty acid source is solid at 25° C.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the fatty acid source to lecithin-containing material weight ratio in the reaction mixture ranges from 5:95 to 30:70.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the fatty acid to lecithin-containing material weight ratio in the reaction mixture is 25:75.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the fatty acid to lecithin-containing material weight ratio in the reaction mixture is 10:90.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the reaction mixture is heated to 90-130° C. before step (c).
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the lecithin fatty acid blend has a water content of less than 0.9% by weight.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein e lecithin fatty acid blend has a water content of less than 0.5% by weight.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the lecithin fatty acid blend has a water content of less than 0.3% by weight.
 24. (canceled)
 25. (canceled)
 26. The method of claim 1, wherein the dry gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, air, and a combination thereof.
 27. The method of claim 1, wherein the lecithin fatty acid blend has a viscosity ranging from 200-3000 cSt at 25° C.
 28. The method of claim 1, wherein the lecithin fatty acid blend has a viscosity ranging from 300 to 800 cSt at 25° C. 29.-36. (canceled)
 37. A method of producing a dry lecithin fatty acid blend, comprising: a. obtaining a lecithin-containing material derived from a crude refining stream; b. adding a fatty acid source to the lecithin-containing material to obtain a reaction mixture; c. heating the reaction mixture to a temperature ranging from 90-130° C. to obtain a lecithin fatty acid blend.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein step (c e comprises blowing the reaction mixture with a dry gas.
 39. The method of claim 37, wherein step takes place under vacuum conditions.
 40. An lecithin fatty acid blend/asphalt binder mixture for asphalt applications, comprising: a. 0.25-3 wt % lecithin fatty acid blend comprising less than 2 wt % water, 20-40 wt % acetone insoluble matter, and 35-48 wt % fatty acid; and b. 97-99.75 wt % asphalt binder. 41.-48. (canceled) 